2008.04.19: April 19, 2008: Headlines: COS - India: Figures: COS - Malawi: Diplomacy: National Security: Times of India: Robert Blackwill, a former US ambassador to India, will quit as president of Barbour Griffiths Rogers International to join one of US's premier think tanks, Rand Corporation

Robert Blackwill, a former US ambassador to India, will quit as president of Barbour Griffiths Rogers International to join one of US's premier think tanks, Rand Corporation

Talking to TOI, Blackwill said, “I will be leaving BGR to join Rand Corporation in California, as senior fellow... I now feel the compelling need for sustained time to reflect and write about America’s role in the world in this difficult and dangerous period.” Robert Blackwill served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi, Ambasssador to India, and as a Deputy National Security Advisor to Condoleezza Rice.

NEW DELHI: With the nuclear deal in a state of deep freeze, the Indian government's chief lobbyist in Washington, Robert Blackwill, will be leaving his job.

In August, Blackwill, a former US ambassador to India, will quit as president of Barbour Griffiths Rogers International to join one of US's premier think tanks, Rand Corporation.

Talking to TOI, Blackwill said, “I will be leaving BGR to join Rand Corporation in California, as senior fellow... I now feel the compelling need for sustained time to reflect and write about America’s role in the world in this difficult and dangerous period.”

While Blackwill’s position is not being filled, another India hand and one of the architects of the new India policy in the Bush administration, Philip Zelikow, is likely to have a greater role with India.

Blackwill is the head of the company’s international practice and was primarily responsible for getting the India account. The account was recently renewed by the Indian government, when it seemed it might be possible to complete the nuclear deal within the lifespan of the UPA and Bush governments.

But that seems a remote possibility now, though theoretically it is still possible to take the next steps. But politically, the prospects are remote to negligible.

India would have needed the extra helping hand of a lobbying firm in Washington if the deal was going to Congress for a final ratification anytime soon. That now looks more and more remote.

Dodd vows to filibuster Surveillance ActSenator Chris Dodd vowed to filibuster the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that helped this administration violate the civil liberties of Americans. "It is time to say: No more. No more trampling on our Constitution. No more excusing those who violate the rule of law. These are fundamental, basic, eternal principles. They have been around, some of them, for as long as the Magna Carta. They are enduring. What they are not is temporary. And what we do not do in a time where our country is at risk is abandon them."

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Story Source: Times of India

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - India; Figures; COS - Malawi; Diplomacy; National Security

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